Book-holder.



UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE.

LEVI E. UMSTEAD AND JOHN G. DIOKIE, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

BOOKHOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 685,017, dated October 22, 190.

' Application filed May 6, 1901.

To all 'whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, LEVI E; UMSTEAD and JOHN G. DICKIE, citizens of-the United States,

residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Book-Holders: and we do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form in which we have contemplated embodying our invention; and said invention is. fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a portion of a pew or seat having our improved book-holder attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of our improved book-holder detached, a portion being broken away to show the springhinge. Fig. 3 represents a vertical central section through the device. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of Fig. 3,

showing the spring-latch. Fig. 5 is a sectionaldetail view showing the cushion-strip.

The object of our invention is to provide a neat and attractive book-holder which can be attached to the back of a pew or seat, so as to occupy as little space as possible and to entirely inclose or conceal the contents.

A represents the back plate of the device, which is preferably formed of wood, although it may be made of metal or other suitable material, and has its upper end provided with a curved or overhanging portion a, which is adapted to fit snugly under the overhanging rail or upper portion of the back of a pew or seat, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

B represents the front plate of the device, provided with sides G C and an inclined bottom D, the said bottom being so constructed that it forms a stop to limit the opening of the receptacle, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The width of the sides and bottom is such that the front plate B will be flush with the upper edge of the back plate A,as shown in the drawings, so that the entire receptacle when closed will not project rearwardly from the back of Serial No. 58,959. (No model.)

the seat or pew beyond the rear edge of the top rail or portion of the seat, as indicated in Fig. 1.

E represents a spring-hinge which connects the bottom D with the back plate A and is so constructed as to normally hold the device in or under the ring b and lifting it the arm 12 will retract the bolt 12, and the said ring will form a handle to enable the front plate B of the device to be drawn forward into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 to permit the insertion or removal of a book or other article which it may be desired to keep within the device. On releasing the ring 11 the device will be automatically closed and locked by means of the spring-hinge E. In order to prevent the device closing with an unpleasant sound, the edges of the sides 00 1 are provided with a cushion-strip a, (see Fig. 5,) preferably composed of rubber, inserted in a'dovet-ailed groove in said sides to engage the back plate, so that the device will close noiselessly. The back plate A is preferably provided with screw-holes a, so that it may be attached to the back of a pew or seat by means of screws. It may, however, be glued or otherwise secured to the pew or seat, if desired We do not limit ourselves to the specific form of locking device herein shown, as it is obvious that other forms of locking devices could be employed. For instance, if desired, an ordinary lock adapted to be operated by means of a key could be substituted for the lock shown in the drawings.

That we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A book-holder comprising among its members, a back plate, a front plate provided with sides and an inclined bottom adapted to form a stop to limit the opening of the device, a spring-hinge connecting said bottomand back plate and a locking device 0on nected with said front plate, substantially as described.

2. A book-holder comprising among its members, a back plate having its upper end extending forward to form the top of the device, a front plate provided with sides and an inclined bottom adapted to form a stop to limit the opening of the device and a springhinge connecting said bottom and back plate,

substantially as described.

3. A book holder comprising among its members, a back plate having its upper end extending forward to form the top of the device, a front plate provided with sides and an inclined bottom adapted to form a stop to limit the opening of the device, cushion-strips interposed between the edges of said sides and the back plate and a springhinge con-; necting said bottom and back plate for holding the device in closed position, substantially as described.

4. A book-holder comprising among its members, a back plate having its upper end extending forward to form the top of the device, a front plate provided with sides and an inclined bottom adapted to form a stop to limit the opening of the device, cushion-strips interposed between the edges of said sides and the back plate, a spring-binge connecting said bottom and back plate for holding the device in closed position, a locking device for holding the device in'closed position and a handle operatively connected with the looking device, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

LEVI E. UMSTEAD. JOHN G. DICKIE. Witnesses:

MARSHALL II. RENO, F. SPAMER. 

